Kadaga Speaker, Oulanyah deputy
May 19, 2011
Kamuli woman MP Rebecca Kadaga is the highly placed woman in Ugandan politics after MPs overwhelmingly voted for her as the Speaker of the ninth Parliament.
By APOLLO MUBIRU
Kamuli woman MP Rebecca Kadaga is the highly placed woman in Ugandan politics after MPs overwhelmingly voted for her as the Speaker of the ninth Parliament.
Kadaga scored 302 votes against her rival, the opposition candidate, Nathan Nandala Mafabi who scored 57 votes. A total of 359 MPs cast their ballots. Two ballots were invalid.
MPs also voted Omoro County MP Jacob Oulanyah (NRM) the deputy Speaker. He polled 299 votes against his rival the Aruu County MP Odonga Otto (FDC) who polled 57 votes
The election of the Speaker and the deputy was by a secret ballot.
Kadaga, a re-known women rights activist, becomes the first woman to occupy the third top ranking office in the land.
After the Clerk to Parliament read out the results, the Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki made the announcement, “I therefore declare Hon. Kadaga who has obtained the majority votes as the Speaker of the ninth Parliament.â€
Odoki’s declaration was greeted by chants from MPs in praise of Kadaga. The new Speaker received a standing ovation as she left her seat to be sworn in.
According to the constitution, the President swears in in the Speaker but can delegate to the Chief Justice.
House was briefly adjourned to allow the Speaker see off the Chief Justice. Kadaga shortly returned in the House clad in Speaker robes to chair the election of her deputy.
Nandala left his seat and hurried to congratulate Kadaga with a handshake. Nandala’s gesture demonstrated that he had conceded defeat and that he is willing to work with Kadaga.
Two candidates were nominated to contest for the coveted post.
NRM candidate Kadaga was nominated by the Kinkizi west MP, Amama Mbabazi and seconded by Nakaseke woman MP Rose Namayanja.
The opposition candidate Mafabi was nominated by the Makindye west MP Hussein Kyanjo and seconded by Kitgum woman MP Beatrice Anywar and Lubaga south MP John Ken Lukyamuzi.
Mbabazi who read Kadaga’s curriculum vitae to members, described Kadaga as person with a track record and vast experience.
Asked whether, she consented to the nomination, Kadaga said “My Lord, the Chief Justice and honorable members, I consent to the nomination.â€
Before the nominations kicked off, debate ensued on whether the ninth Parliament should use the same rules of procedures of the past Parliament.
After submission from various members of Parliament on the matter, the Chief Justice saved the situation and time when he took a ‘wise’ ruling.
Kamuli woman MP Rebecca Kadaga is the highly placed woman in Ugandan politics after MPs overwhelmingly voted for her as the Speaker of the ninth Parliament.
Kadaga scored 302 votes against her rival, the opposition candidate, Nathan Nandala Mafabi who scored 57 votes. A total of 359 MPs cast their ballots. Two ballots were invalid.
MPs also voted Omoro County MP Jacob Oulanyah (NRM) the deputy Speaker. He polled 299 votes against his rival the Aruu County MP Odonga Otto (FDC) who polled 57 votes
The election of the Speaker and the deputy was by a secret ballot.
Kadaga, a re-known women rights activist, becomes the first woman to occupy the third top ranking office in the land.
After the Clerk to Parliament read out the results, the Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki made the announcement, “I therefore declare Hon. Kadaga who has obtained the majority votes as the Speaker of the ninth Parliament.â€
Odoki’s declaration was greeted by chants from MPs in praise of Kadaga. The new Speaker received a standing ovation as she left her seat to be sworn in.
According to the constitution, the President swears in in the Speaker but can delegate to the Chief Justice.
House was briefly adjourned to allow the Speaker see off the Chief Justice. Kadaga shortly returned in the House clad in Speaker robes to chair the election of her deputy.
Nandala left his seat and hurried to congratulate Kadaga with a handshake. Nandala’s gesture demonstrated that he had conceded defeat and that he is willing to work with Kadaga.
Two candidates were nominated to contest for the coveted post.
NRM candidate Kadaga was nominated by the Kinkizi west MP, Amama Mbabazi and seconded by Nakaseke woman MP Rose Namayanja.
The opposition candidate Mafabi was nominated by the Makindye west MP Hussein Kyanjo and seconded by Kitgum woman MP Beatrice Anywar and Lubaga south MP John Ken Lukyamuzi.
Mbabazi who read Kadaga’s curriculum vitae to members, described Kadaga as person with a track record and vast experience.
Asked whether, she consented to the nomination, Kadaga said “My Lord, the Chief Justice and honorable members, I consent to the nomination.â€
Before the nominations kicked off, debate ensued on whether the ninth Parliament should use the same rules of procedures of the past Parliament.
After submission from various members of Parliament on the matter, the Chief Justice saved the situation and time when he took a ‘wise’ ruling.